Kathy Stevens is the Founder of Catskill Animal Sanctuary. She served as Executive Director from the time the Sanctuary was formed in 2001 until her retirement in 2025. Kathy views the Sanctuary as the embodiment of her two greatest passions: animals and teaching. While Kathy speaks, writes and raises money in support of our work, her greatest joy is in connecting good-hearted people with the animals we love, then stepping back to watch as the animals work their magic and change human lives. Her second greatest joy? Kissing pigs.

With a background in nonprofit leadership, Jacob Goings (he/him) spent 20 years supporting vulnerable communities including children with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, and senior animals, with a belief in every being’s right to safety and care. His work in nonprofit development has raised millions in support of life-saving programs. He was drawn to CAS’s mission of rescue and advocacy by a lifelong love for animals and a passion for building a more compassionate world. When not at the Sanctuary, you’ll likely find him at home with his two beloved Yorkie-Chihuahua mixes, Roxas and Riku, who bring equal parts joy and chaos to his daily life.

Danielle (Dani) Auretto (she/her) began her journey with CAS in 2016 as a volunteer and donor. During the COVID pandemic, she left a global procurement career to become CAS’s Donor Relations Manager, and later served as Director of Sanctuary Operations. Currently, Dani’s role focuses on customer success for a contract management software company, and she brings her expertise in procurement, consulting, engagement management, and operations to the Board. Danielle lives in Woodstock, NY, with her wife and beloved dogs Eleanor and Holli.

Born and raised in New York City, Michelle Alvarez (she/her) first visited the sanctuary in 2008 and immediately fell in love with the animals. She joined the staff soon after and devoted 13 years to CAS, first as Outreach Manager and later as Director of Outreach & Special Events. Prior to discovering that animal advocacy had always been her true north and her life’s calling, Michelle spent a decade as a social justice lawyer, focusing on environmental justice and reproductive rights litigation. Now living in the Hudson Valley with her partner and cats, Michelle loves fostering rescued cats of all ages, exploring craft beverages, and hiking in search of waterfalls.

Laura Cummins (she/her) has worked in the nonprofit animal rescue field for nearly fifteen years, yielding extensive experience with farmed animals, native wildlife, and both domestic and exotic pets. Her professional experiences are complemented by educational backgrounds in veterinary medicine, biology, and environmental conservation. Laura also has a long history of caring for the residents of CAS, having first joined the animal healthcare team back in 2016. In her free time, Laura loves spending time with her animals, tending to numerous houseplants, and exploring the Hudson Valley and Catskills with her partner.

As a dedicated vegan with a passion for animal welfare, Stacey Clark (she/her) brings a compassionate perspective to the Board. Her commitment to giving back is demonstrated through many years of volunteering at sanctuaries and advocating for all animals. Professionally, Stacey is a leader in Human Capital Management, specializing in implementation and project management. As a Director, she focuses on developing her team and fostering employee engagement, driven by a strong belief in empowering others to reach their potential. Her unique blend of leadership expertise, dedication to making a difference, and lifelong love of animals fuels her work to support the sanctuary’s mission of creating a kinder world for all beings. Stacey lives in Kanab, Utah with her husband and their dog Darwin.

Natasha Falke (she/her) has been vegan for the animals for over nine years and is deeply passionate about animal advocacy and vegan living. She believes all animals should live free from harm, and that sanctuaries play a vital role in rescuing, advocating for, and providing lifelong care to them. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with over 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, Natasha brings expertise in helping organizations through transitions and building effective strategies. She also loves vegan cooking and shares her life on Cape Cod with her husband and their two senior rescue dogs, Daisy and Bella.

Dave Laureano (he/him) brings over 10 years of experience in nonprofit finance and accounting leadership to CAS. With his passion for advancing sustainable economies and animal welfare, he believes it can all start with a connection to animals. He sees micro-changes at an individual level as a vital part of creating a more sustainable world. Dave brings a strategic perspective to the Board, helping to ensure CAS continues to thrive as both a sanctuary and a force for systemic change. Outside of his professional life, Dave enjoys running, cycling, skiing, trying new vegan restaurants, and playing fetch with his cat, Leo.

Priya Domadia (she/her) grew up in a vegetarian family that practiced Jainism, a religion centered on the principle of nonviolence toward all living beings. This teaching became a strong moral compass for her from a young age. In 2020, she watched several documentaries that opened her eyes to the cruelty within the dairy and egg industries, which deeply impacted her beliefs and lifestyle. Since then, Priya has been committed to speaking up for animals and advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves. Priya lives on Long Island and works in New York City as an engineer. She enjoys traveling with her husband and often looks for opportunities to volunteer with animals wherever she goes.